Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar have arrived at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's house hours ahead of the 5th round of talks between the government and protesting farmers. The protests continue to amplify, thousands of farmers remain adamant to repeal the laws while receiving support across the nation.
Despite the assurances from the government on the minimum support price for the agricultural produce during the four rounds of talks this week, the decision remains pending.
Considered as one of the biggest farmers' protests in years and numbers continue to increase at Delhi's borders amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has already affected numerous lives.
10 important development in this big story by far:
1. Farmers have called for a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday, December 8. Farmers warned of blocking all roads leading to Delhi and occupying all highway toll gates across the country.
2. 5th round of talks will take place today at 2 pm at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. The farmers' representatives made a 39-point presentation on the inadequacies of the contentious new farm laws during the Thursday talks.
3. The ruling party has defended the new laws by saying that it provides the farmers with an option to sell their produce to the private buyers. On Thursday, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar after holding 7 long hours of the meeting said "the government has no ego", and that the government is open on expanding the discussion.
4. The Supreme Court on Friday was asked to immediately remove or shift the protesting farmers. A petition was submitted regarding the same. It said, "Life of lakhs of people protesting at Delhi Borders is at immediate threat. If by chance this coronavirus disease takes the shape of community spread, it will cause havoc in the country.”
5. Traffic has obstructed on key roads near the borders with the neighbouring states - Haryana and Uttar Pradesh due to the agitation. Thousands of farmers have marched to the national capital after facing barricades, water cannons and tear gas.
6. Individuals from the diverse field came out in support of the agitating farmers from several Bollywood actors, sports personalities, political leaders, and transport unions have shown their solidarity for the farmers. Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has returned his Padma Bhushan award as a protest against the treatment of the protesting farmers by the Central government.
7. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have given in their objection of the government's handling of protests. Political tiff emerged between Amarinder Singh and Arvind Kejriwal. Captain Singh has several times criticized Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar over his action against the farmers.
8. 3 deaths were recorded during the protests. Farmers said it would be “inhuman” on the government's part if they drag this any further given the cold climate and coronavirus. On Thursday, the Punjab government had announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh each to the families of two farmers who died during protests against the Centre's farm laws.
Also Read: Meeting on at PM's residence ahead of talks with farmers
9. The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Mr Tomar, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal several times this week over the matter. Last week, apart from offering to hold talks, he told farmers to shift to a venue suggested by the government but that offer was rejected.
10. Farmers claim the laws will deny them of the minimum prices fixed by the government and leave them at the mercy of corporates.